Top-15 Things to Do
in Birmingham

What is it?
An open-air museum that recreates the atmosphere of one of the first industrialized regions in Britain.

Why should you go?
Located in Dudley, west of Birmingham, this museum is a must-see place. It occupies a vast formerly industrial area, where carefully reconstructed original shops, houses, and industrial structures represent over 300 years of the Black Country's history, with an emphasis on 1850-1950. Ride a historic tram to the canalside village, meet the costumed characters typical of the era, check out an actual underground mine, and explore over 80,000 authentic items on display, from nails to canal boats! Should you start feeling peckish, the local fish and chips is highly recommended.

Besides, it's a special treat for Peaky Blinders fans: discover the sets that were used as filming locations for the iconic series, most famously, Charlie Strong's yard at the local boat dock.

Specialization
Open-air museum

Perfect for
Industrial heritage enthusiasts and fans of the Shelby family saga

What is it?
Contemporary art gallery with free admission, based in a former Victorian school.

Why should you go?
TFounded in 1965, Ikon has evolved from a small-scale independent artist-led initiative to one of the central venues of Birmingham's art scene. Located in a beautiful late 19th-century neo-Gothic building that used to house a school, it showcases artworks featuring all sorts of media, organizes events and tours, and operates as an educational charity for adults and kids alike. Over the decades, works by some of the key English artists, from John Salt to Yinka Shonibare, have been on display in the gallery.

It's always free to visit, so if you're looking for cool things to do in Birmingham on a budget, don't hesitate to drop by.

Specialization
Contemporary art gallery

Perfect for
Culture vultures

What is it?
A quirky museum dedicated to Birmingham's steel pen trade.

Why should you go?
T Located at the Argent Centre, a former pen factory in Birmingham's vibrant Jewellery Quarter, this unique little museum explores the history of the local pen trade. Birmingham, in fact, was the world center of steel pen and steel nib production, and the industry had a major impact on issues from women's employment to mass literacy.

The museum's three galleries host an extensive collection of pens, nibs, machinery, and artifacts related to pen manufacturing, writing equipment such as typewriters, and writing more generally. There are hands-on experiences, too: fancy attending a calligraphy workshop?

Specialization
Local industry museum

Perfect for
Fans of unusual exhibitions

What is it?
A small art gallery and concert hall located on the premises of the University of Birmingham campus.

Why should you go?
Purpose-built for the study of art history in the UK, this beautiful interwar building features fine Art Deco architecture and is home to a nice fine art center. It has been called home to 'one of the finest small art galleries in Europe,' and its concert hall boasts great acoustics and a pleasant atmosphere.

Permanent and temporary exhibitions feature a bit of everything: from paintings and work on paper to sculpture and coins, from Roman-era artifacts to 20th-century pieces. Botticelli and Rubens, Degas and Monet, Magritte and Schiele — the compact collection is a real gem. Plus, entry is free, but you'll have to buy tickets for the concerts, though.

Specialization
Art museum and concert venue

Perfect for
Fine art connoisseurs

What is it?
A geological museum run by the University of Birmingham.

Why should you go?
Just a few minutes' walk from the Barber Institute, there's another cool little place on the university campus. Dating back to 1880, this geological museum is jam-packed with fossilized plants, insects, and fish, stones, minerals, zoological specimens, maps, photos, models — more than 250,000 items showcasing the evolution of life on Earth, with a particular focus on the Midlands and the local rocks and species. Our favorite exhibit is the dinosaur, more precisely, the Allosaurus.

If you're looking for fun things to do in Birmingham with the kids, head over here: this museum is just a perfect attraction for the little natural history enthusiasts!

Specialization
Science and natural history museum

Perfect for
Families with kids

What is it?
A museum of coffin making based in a historic coffin furniture manufactory.

Why should you go?
Within walking distance of the city center, the 1894 Newman Brothers Coffin Furniture Factory building in the Jewellery Quarter hosts what is probably the most unique museum in Birmingham. Here, coffin furniture — including products from handles, crucifixes, nameplates, and ornaments to 'soft goods' such as shrouds, funerary gowns, coffin linings, and cushions — was produced until 1998, including the fittings for the funerals of Winston Churchill, Princess Diana, and the Queen Mother.

The museum opened in 2014, and we think seeing it is one of the top things to do in Birmingham. Opt for a guided tour to explore the original workshops and tools: the machinery is still operating!

Specialization
Industrial history museum — it's not really about the macabre, in case you were wondering

Perfect for
Machinery geeks

What is it?
A concert venue and home to the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

Why should you go?
Commonly considered one of the top concert venues in the world by critics, performers, and visitors, the Symphony Hall was established in 1991. Since its inception, it has been described as an acoustic triumph: evidently, a pin dropped on stage can be heard anywhere in the hall. Some of the greatest performers representing all musical genres have played here: from the Vienna Philharmonic to Bruce Springsteen and Liza Minnelli.

The 2,262-seat venue is able to accommodate a truly diverse repertoire — from classical music to jazz and rock, as well as comedy shows, conferences, and even private events. Book your tickets in advance!

Specialization
Concert hall

Perfect for
Music-loving couples on a date night

What is it?
The Bard's childhood home in the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon.

Why should you go?
How about getting out of town for a lovely little day trip? More precisely, we're suggesting that you pay a visit to the neighboring Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, to see the birthplace of England's national poet, William Shakespeare. It'll take you under one hour by regular train or just over an hour if you go for the vintage steam-hauled Shakespeare Express (we vote for the latter!).

The 16th-century half-timbered house where Shakespeare was born in 1564 is located on Henley Street. It has been restored to reflect its historic appearance and features period furnishings, historical artifacts on display, and a charming garden.

Specialization
Historic site

Perfect for
Any visitor to Stratford-upon-Avon

What is it?
The world's largest collection of British motorcycles on display in Bickenhill, Solihull.

Why should you go?
Less than one hour by train from Birmingham, or just a five-minute drive from Birmingham International railway station, and you're about to see a really cool exhibition!
Dating back to 1984, the National Motorcycle Museum is home to an impressive collection of over 1,000 machines from 170 different brands, with an emphasis on the UK manufacturing heritage. Chronologically, it covers the pioneer, veteran, vintage, and postwar eras of motorcycle production, with the oldest machine dating back to 1898.

Specialization
Vehicle museum

Perfect for
Motorcycle enthusiasts and kids

What is it?
A Victorian shopping arcade in Birmingham city center.

Why should you go?
Located in the heart of Birmingham, with two entrances — the ornate one on Temple Row and the more modern one on Colmore Row side — this gorgeous arcade was constructed in the 1870s, and was rebuilt after sustaining bomb damage in WWII.

If you're striving for a very special shopping experience, in contrast to trudging through a standard set of high street shops or another faceless modern mall, look no further. This elegant arcade is home to a set of independent retailers, boutiques, beauty salons, food and drink shops, and much more. The place is right next to St Philip's Cathedral, so why not pop by for some cheese and wine after a morning in the church?

Specialization
Shopping center

Perfect for
Fans of Victorian architecture and small shops

What is it?
A 15-acre botanical garden notable for its glasshouses.

Why should you go?
One of Birmingham's best family attractions, the Victorian Botanical Gardens are located in the suburban area of Edgbaston. It is a great place to spend a warm and sunny afternoon. Opened in 1832, the gardens boast four glasshouses, including Tropical, Subtropical, Mediterranean, and Arid Houses. Another highlight is the tranquil Japanese Garden with its Bonsai collection. We adore the local fauna, too: koi fish, colorful birds, and vivid butterflies at the Butterfly House.

Specialization
Botanical garden

Perfect for
Nature lovers

What is it?
A visitor attraction focused on chocolate manufacturing and the history of the Cadbury Company.

Why should you go?
Cadbury World is based in Bournville, a former chocolate manufacturing site of this British confectionery brand. While many of Birmingham's attractions are focused on the local industry, this one is not a factory tour as such but a fun self-guided introduction to the history of chocolate and Cadbury. There are play areas, rides, hands-on activities, original artifacts and recreations of Victorian England streets and Aztec Jungle, videos and 4D adventures, and, of course, actual chocolate that is just waiting to be consumed.

Specialization
Chocolate museum

Perfect for
Sweet tooths, big and small

What is it?
A casual family-run restaurant with great breakfasts, located by the canal.

Why should you go?
We love a full English on a Saturday afternoon, full stop — especially when paired with a cheeky Bloody Mary. Ju Ju's is the place to go for a lazy weekend breakfast — the ultimate comfort food is full of carbs and fat but so satisfying. This cozy eatery, run by a mum and her daughter, offers a range of breakfasts, served from Friday to Sunday until 3:30 PM, Sunday roast, and drinks.

Located right by the canal, not far from downtown, it's a charming little place with lovely views.
Whenever you feel like you've had your share of things to do in Birmingham city center and just need some peace and quiet — this is the place we can definitely recommend.

Specialization
Eatery

Perfect for
Foodies

What is it?
A pub, and allegedly, Birmingham's oldest secular building.

Why should you go?
Just a ten-minute walk from downtown, The Old Crown claims to be the oldest secular structure in Birmingham, dating back to 1368. Apparently, Queen Elizabeth I stayed here in 1575, and now you can, too. There are ten bedrooms and one apartment available for booking, all of which retain much of the antique decor and furnishings, combined with modern appliances.

Otherwise, just pop by for a pint or three: we love the atmosphere with its wooden beams, stained glass windows, and cobblestone floors. Plus, the garden is very nice (albeit it might get a bit busy!)

Specialization
Historic pub

Perfect for
British pub enthusiasts

What is it?
A historic water mill that has an association with J. R. R. Tolkien and The Shire.

Why should you go?
One of only two working water mills in Birmingham, this one dates back to the 18th century. Back in the day, it was used for corn grinding and metal trades. Now, it's a lovely bucolic space, just perfect for spending half a day outside of the city.

J. R. R. Tolkien spent part of his childhood across the road from here, and as well as the local countryside, the mill has inspired The Shire. Follow in his footsteps and explore the area, with its magical woodland and a pond with the local herons and mallards. The best thing about the place? They serve their very own delicious stone-baked Neapolitan pizzas in the courtyard.

Specialization
Historic site + nature

Perfect for
Tolkien geeks